Majel Davidson

Margaret Elizabeth Davidson, known as Majel Davidson, (1885-1969) was a Scottish artist known for her painting and pottery work.

Majel Davidson
Born
Margaret Elizabeth Davidson

1885
Cults, Aberdeen
Died1969 (aged 83–84)
NationalityBritish
Alma materGray's School of Art
Known forPainting, pottery

Biography

Davidson was born at Cults in Aberdeen and attended Aberdeen High School before studying painting and pottery at Gray's School of Art from 1904 to 1907.[1] A scholarship award allowed her to study in Paris throughout 1908 and 1909 with the artist Charles Guérin.[2][1] and in Rome in 1910.[3] Davidson exhibited at the Salon d'Automne in 1912. During World War One she served as a volunteer ambulance driver, earning the Military Medal for her work.[1][3]

In 1923 Davidson moved to Toronto and for a time was associated with the circle of artists known as the Group of Seven, which led to her paintings becoming increasing impressionist and bolder in their use of colour.[2] When Davidson returned to Scotland she took a role with the International Council of Women and in her artistic career chose to concentrate on producing pottery and had a kiln built at the family home in Cults.[1][4] Named Gushetneuk Pottery, after the Doric dialect word for an odd corner of a field, several pieces are on display at the Aberdeen Art Gallery, including a fine art deco rosebowl.[3]

In the 1950s Davidson moved to the female community, known as the Powis Family, or The Powis House Ladies, at Powis House near Stirling and resumed painting.[4][5] Davidson exhibited several times with the Aberdeen Artists Society and in 1989 the Portland Gallery held a joint show of her work alongside that of Alexander Graham Munro.[1][2] In 2004, the Macrobert Art Centre held an exhibition of her work.[5]

Further reading
  • Majel Davidson 1885-1969, an Artist's Life and Influences, 1984, (13 pages), published by the MacRobert Art Centre Gallery, University of Stirling.
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References
  1. David Buckman (2006). Artists in Britain Since 1945 Vol 1, A to L. Art Dictionaries Ltd. ISBN 0 953260 95 X.
  2. Peter J.M. McEwan (1994). The Dictionary of Scottish Art and Architecture. Antique Collectors' Club. ISBN 1 85149 134 1.
  3. "Majel Davidson and Gushetneuk pottery". womenhistoryscotland.org. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  4. Paul Harris & Julian Halsby (1990). The Dictionary of Scottish Painters 1600 to the Present. Canongate. ISBN 1 84195 150 1.
  5. "People in Logie Powis House" (PDF). blairlogie-scotland.org. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
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